SPENCER “Pensor” Sven Lomadilla showed up with his A game as he towed the Lapu-Lapu City Heroes U9 squad to the title in the 8th Ateneo Cup at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu field on July 4, 2026.
The team, led by coaches John Dave Regner, Khent Vincent Sotto, Joseph Estremos, and Rylle Ancajas, opened their campaign with a tough 1-0 win over Giuseppe, thanks to Lomadilla’s lone goal. Pensor added another in their 3-0 rout of Cebu Football Club B, before keeping a perfect record in the group stage with a 1-0 win over Team Maegis.
In the knockout round, the Heroes had to show nerves of steel as they survived back-to-back shootout wins.
First to fall was Cebu United, 3-2, with Pensor, McJohnston Singh and Xavier Cyn Arong all finding the back of the net. The Heroes Trio also connected as they ousted Sugbu Calidad, 3-2, via shootout to arrange a finals showdown with Cebu Football Club A in the finals.
In the finals, Lomadilla showed maturity and composure to deliver a solo goal that sealed their titular finish.
Positioned near their box to defend a corner, Lomadilla anticipated and intercepted a weakly taken one, and showed his pace by dribbling past two defenders before sending the ball to the lower right before the keeper for react, sending the team and its supporters on their feet to celebrate.
“I am happy to be part of the winning team and for scoring the winning goal,” said Lomadilla.
Aside from Lomadilla, Singh, and Arong, the other members of the champion squad are Daren Himaya, David Gad Inso, Seth Daniel Gacrama, Alexa Tumulak, April Tumulak, Eyana Rhaine Brillo, and Paul Mavy Pajora.
The team is also sponsored by Haven of Peace Memorial Garden, DATA (Don Aubert Tennis Academy), Floyd Salazar, Sakura Auto Parts Trading Inc., D L S K, 5 Kings Poultry Farm, Alesund KAMPSPORTKLUBB, Dan Enrico Depot, Firsttank, Winjoy Travel, and the Olango Island Sports and Amusement Center